Meizhou Island is located in the central part of Putian City, Fujian Province. It is the second largest island in Putian City, only 1.82 nautical miles away from the mainland. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction. The scenic area has distinct characteristics, with both the profound heritage of the thousand-year-old Mazu culture and the charming coastal natural scenery. Here is the birthplace of Mazu culture, and more than 300 million Mazu admirers worldwide regard it as their spiritual hometown. The island has many buildings and attractions related to Mazu culture, as well as beautiful beaches, unique marine erosion landforms and other natural landscapes. The total area of the island is 14.35 square kilometers, and the coastline is 30.4 kilometers long.
History and Culture
Meizhou Island is the place where Mazu became a god, with a profound historical and cultural heritage. The Mazu Ancestral Temple was first built in the fourth year of Yongxi in the Song Dynasty (987 AD). It is the first Mazu temple in the world and the core holy land of Mazu culture. Many Mazu admirers around the world regard this place as a holy land for pilgrimage. Dongcai Shanglin Natural Village, where the Tianfei Hometown Ruins Park is located, is the birthplace of Mazu. The park preserves cultural relics protection points such as the Ming Dynasty "Tianfei Hometown" cliff inscriptions, the Qing Dynasty "Tianfei Ancestral Hometown Shanglin" stele and ancient wells, and completely preserves the historical records related to Mazu. In addition, the World Mazu Culture Forum held at the World Mazu Culture Forum venue on November 1st every year bears the mission of spreading and promoting Mazu culture among the people along the Maritime Silk Road, further promoting the global spread and development of Mazu culture.
Main Attractions
Mazu Ancestral Temple
As the pilgrimage center for Mazu believers worldwide, the complex of temples with red walls and golden tiles is built along the mountain. First constructed in the 4th year of the Yongxi Reign of the Song Dynasty (987 AD), it is the world's first Mazu temple. The hall enshrines the thousand-year-old golden statue of Mazu carved from camphor wood in the Song Dynasty. It also houses Mazu statues made of "gold, wood, water, fire, earth" and other materials, serving as the world's "museum" with the largest number and most comprehensive types of Mazu statues. It has been listed as a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit and a National Civilized Unit.
Ewei God Stone Garden
Located at the southernmost tip of Meizhou Island, also known as the Ewei Marine Erosion Geological Park, it faces the sea on three sides, with an altitude of 65 meters and an area of about 480 mu. It is named because the terrain is like the tail of a goose, and the rocks in the park are Caledonian granite formed by natural changes over 410 million years, with rare and typical marine erosion landforms. The main attractions include Turtle Pilgrimage, Feiji Cave, Lover Frog, Mazu Blessing Stone, etc.
Lianchi Beach
Located at the foot of Meizhou Mazu Ancestral Temple, it is 1.2 kilometers long, shaped like a moon bay, and connects to the Taiwan Strait. It is a concentrated and bustling area for tourists in summer, and also the carnival area for the Cross-strait Beach Music Beer Festival and the Taiwan Food Tasting Area on Meizhou Island.
Mazu Film and Television Park
It is the filming base for the 38-episode large-scale mythological TV series Mazu, located on the east coast of Donghuan Road, Ganglou Village, Meizhou Island, covering an area of 60 mu. It has attractions such as Fishing Village Castle, Meiyu Ancient Rhyme, Lin Family Courtyard, Wanghai Terrace, Ping'an Fort, East Sea Dragon Palace, and Oceanarium, allowing people to experience the style of fishing villages in the Song Dynasty.
Meiyu Chaoyin
One of the twenty-four scenic spots in Putian, located at the northernmost tip of Meizhou Island. It is named because the waves meet near the land and the tide sound continues. Most of the rocks are grayish white, and the landscape is in the shape of continuous row stones. Sceneries such as Heavenly Dog Barking at the Sun, Eagle Playing with Mouse, and Young Swallow Spreading Wings can be seen.
Tianfei Hometown Ruins Park
Located in Dongcai Shanglin Natural Village at the northwest corner of Meizhou Island, covering an area of about 90 mu, with a total construction area of about 9,300 square meters. It is the birthplace of Mazu. The park has cultural relics protection points such as the Ming Dynasty "Tianfei Hometown" cliff inscriptions, the Qing Dynasty "Tianfei Ancestral Hometown Shanglin" stele and ancient wells, as well as main buildings such as Mazu's former residence and Mazu Origin Museum.
World Mazu Culture Forum Venue
It was built in March 2017, covering an area of 53 mu, with a total construction area of 46,000 square meters. The World Mazu Culture Forum is held here on November 1st every year. In addition to the main venue, there are also leisure formats such as Poly Group's Junya brand hotel, the first 3D cinema line on Meizhou Island, and the World Crab Pavilion.
Hushigu Ecological Park
Located in the central part of Meizhou Island, adjacent to the World Mazu Culture Forum venue, with a total area of more than 1,000 mu. After nightfall, there is a giant 3D water show Mazu on the lake, which uses high-tech means such as sound, light, electricity, and water, supplemented by naked-eye 3D effects, to display the Mazu spirit of "establishing virtue, doing good, and great love".
Sea Reclining Buddha
Located on the South Ring Road of Meizhou Island, it is part of the Island Botanical Garden. The uninhabited islets opposite the beach are connected together, resembling two reclining Buddhas lying on the sea level, with their heads resting on the waves and a serene expression.
Meidong Bay
Located between Mazu Ping'anli and Ewei God Stone Garden, it is a slender bay with a total length of about 1.7 kilometers. It has beach parent-child entertainment facilities, slow-traveling walkways, etc., and is being built into a multi-functional hydrophilic and sea-rhyme tourist resort.
Mangrove Park
Located on the western coastline of Meizhou Island, the existing area of mature mangroves is 450 mu. The main tree species are Avicennia marina, Kandelia obovata, Aegiceras corniculatum, etc. The park has many viewing platforms and a 2-kilometer slender slow-traveling trail, which is the habitat of egret groups.
Delicacies
Mazu Noodles
A characteristic food of Meizhou Island, with a smooth taste and delicious soup. It is usually added with seafood and other ingredients to make it more delicious.
Oyster Omelet
It is made by frying fresh oysters and sweet potato flour, etc. It is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. With special sauce, it is very delicious and one of the foods that every family on Meizhou Island can make.
Stir-fried Rice Noodles with Laver Oyster Cake
The stir-fried rice noodles have a strong taste, and when paired with the crispy laver oyster cake, they are fresh and delicious, making people memorable.
Seafood
Meizhou Island is rich in products, and seafood is famous for being fresh and diverse. Oysters, lobsters, crabs, etc., are all very plump. They can be steamed, braised, blanched, etc., allowing you to taste the original flavor of seafood.
Fengting Cake
A specialty of Putian, made from pure glutinous rice flour, mixed with white sugar powder, and added with peanuts, sesame, etc. After being steamed dry, it is cut into square pieces. It is sweet and delicious and is a good gift for relatives and friends.
Rendan Cake
It is made from glutinous rice flour, mixed with white sugar, refined salt, and sour juice. After being steamed, white sugar is sprinkled while it is hot. It has sweet, salty, and sour flavors, and is suitable for patients, the elderly, and children.
Tickets
Ferry ticket: 125 yuan/person (round trip).
You can search for the official WeChat public account "湄洲发布" to get the latest updates or purchase tickets online.
Opening Hours
Open throughout the year, from 07:00 to 21:00. Ferry departure times: Summer time (April 16th to October 15th), the first luxury passenger ship from Meizhou is at 7:00, and the last one is at 17:40; the first from Wenjia is at 7:20, and the last one is at 18:00. There is a flight every 20 minutes in between, and the night flights are at 19:00, 20:00, and 21:00 respectively. Winter time (October 16th to April 15th of the following year), the first luxury passenger ship from Meizhou is at 7:00, and the last one is at 17:00; the first from Wenjia is at 7:20, and the last one is at 17:20. There is a flight every 20 minutes in between, and the night flights are at 18:00, 19:00, and 20:00 respectively.
Tour Routes
One-day tour routes: - Mazu cultural pilgrimage tour: Mazu Ancestral Temple (including Mazu Stele Forest, Mazu Cultural Park, and morning worship of Mazu) — Tianfei Hometown Ruins Park — Mazu Ping'anli — Golden Beach. - Coastal scenery experience tour: Mazu Ancestral Temple — Lianchi Beach — Ewei Marine Erosion Geological Park.
Two-day tour routes: - Day 1: Mazu Ancestral Temple — Tianfei Hometown Ruins Park — Mazu Cultural Film and Television Park — Golden Beach. - Day 2: Ewei Marine Erosion Geological Park — Lianchi Beach.
Three-day tour routes: - Day 1: Mazu Ancestral Temple — Tianfei Hometown Ruins Park — Lianchi Beach. - Day 2: Watching the sunrise at Meiyu Chaoyin — Morning worship of Mazu — Mazu Ping'anli. - Day 3: Sea Reclining Buddha — Ewei Marine Erosion Geological Park — Golden Beach — Watching the 3D Mazu water show in Hushigu Park.
Transportation
- Airplane: The airports near Putian are Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, Fuzhou Changle International Airport, and Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport. From Xiamen Airport, you can take the airport express (North Station Line) to Xiamen North Station, then go to Putian Railway Station, take Bus No. K09/363 to Wenjia Wharf, and then take the ferry to Meizhou Island; from Fuzhou Airport, you can take the airport express bus to Putian Bus Station, then take Bus No. 361 or 362 to Wenjia Wharf, and then take the ferry to Meizhou Island; from Quanzhou Airport, you can take Bus No. K604 to Quanzhou South Station, then go to Putian Railway Station, take Bus No. K09/363 to Wenjia Wharf, and finally take the ferry to Meizhou Island.
- Train: From Putian Railway Station, you can take Bus No. K09/363 directly to Wenjia Wharf, and then take the ferry to Meizhou Island.
- Self-driving: Navigate to Wenjia Wharf, Putian City, park the car in the Wenjia Wharf parking lot (when the traffic is heavy during holidays, it can be parked in the "Mazu City Langqin Bay Public Parking Lot", and there is a free shuttle bus from the parking lot to Wenjia Wharf during national legal holidays), and then take the ferry to Meizhou Island.
Must-visit Attractions
- Mazu Ancestral Temple: The pilgrimage center for Mazu believers worldwide, with a long history and magnificent architecture. It has the thousand-year-old camphor wood golden body of Mazu and Mazu statues of various materials, making it a must-visit place to experience Mazu culture.
- Ewei God Stone Garden: It has rare marine erosion landforms, and the scenery is extremely beautiful at sunset. The unique stone landscapes such as "Turtle Pilgrimage" and "Feiji Cave" are amazing.
- Lianchi Beach: There are few people and the sand is soft. You can dig sand and go beachcombing. In the evening, you can feel the strong fireworks atmosphere and enjoy the beautiful sea view.
Tour Tips
- Choose to visit from March to November, when the climate is more suitable and the scenery is more beautiful.
- If time permits, it is recommended to arrange a 2-3 day itinerary to fully visit each attraction and deeply experience the culture and scenery of Meizhou Island.
- When visiting Ewei God Stone Garden, you can choose to go at sunset to enjoy the beautiful sunset and unique marine erosion landforms.
- When playing on Lianchi Beach, pay attention to taking sun protection measures to avoid sunburn.
- When tasting seafood, choose regular restaurants to ensure food safety and freshness.
Notes
- Before going to the island, you need to understand the ferry schedule in advance, arrange the itinerary reasonably, and avoid missing the flight.
- Respect the local religious beliefs and customs, especially the rituals and taboos related to Mazu culture.
- When playing by the sea, pay attention to safety warnings, do not enter dangerous areas without permission, and avoid accidents.
- Take care of the environment of the scenic area, do not litter, and keep the scenic area clean.
- When purchasing seafood or other goods, pay attention to comparing prices to avoid being overcharged.